AT&T promising 3G speed boost for current, future iPhones

AT&T is updating its 3G network to the 7.2Mbps flavor of HSPA and boosting its …

AT&T has announced that it is beginning to update its 3G data network to a higher speed version of the HSPA protocol—a change that could benefit buyers of the updated iPhone hardware expected to launch this summer. Further, the company is increasing its backhaul capacity, adding additional towers, and converting more towers to 850MHz spectrum—all of which can improve 3G reception and data speeds for all iPhone (and other 3G phone) users.

AT&T's network currently uses a version of the High Speed Packet Access protocol that tops out at a theoretical maximum of 3.6Mbps. The company will begin upgrading its network this year to a faster version of the protocol that can reach a potential maximum of 7.2Mbps, with deployment expected to be finished in 2011.

The carrier plans to have a number of compatible smartphones and 3G networking cards available later this year. For instance, the next-gen iPhone hardware expected this summer is rumored to have a 3G radio compatible with the faster standard. While you're not likely to actually reach that 7.2Mbps glass ceiling, users with capable hardware should see data access speeds roughly double what they were before.

In addition to deploying a faster 3G network, AT&T is planning other improvements that should benefit current iPhone users as well. One is converting more towers to use 850MHz spectrum. In a nutshell, lower frequency radio waves can generally travel further and through buildings better if transmitting power is kept the same. That should translate to better reception overall for many users—Chicago recently got an 850MHz makeover, and my iPhone has gotten far better signal in my apartment since then.

Also, the company is adding increased backhaul capacity to its cell towers, many getting fiber optic upgrades. That means that a given tower can move more data to and from a standard IP network. And AT&T plans to add 2,100 additional cell towers to its network throughout the rest of the year. Many will be placed in more rural areas with little to no coverage, but it will also add an additional 20 metropolitan areas to AT&T's coverage area.

As the number of data-hungry iPhone subscribers on AT&T's network is expected to increase, the added capacity should keep those users—as well as other AT&T subscribers with 3G devices—sending and receiving bits with vim and vigor. The infrastructure improvements will prepare AT&T for a planned upgrade to the 4G LTE standard, expected to begin rolling out over the next couple of years, too.